Friday Blogpost

Happy Friday!

Here's a look at what we did this week:

Math - We started Unit 5 this week after wrapping up Unit 4 at the end of last week with a test (which students did very well on!). Unit 5 is continuing with multiplication as we learn patterns and rules for multiplying with different factors. Students are cruising through and continuing to get better at multiplication!

Science - In science this week we described and demonstrated the movement of molecules in solids, liquids, and gases. The whole class huddled and vibrated together on the rug when we were in our solid state and then as we got warmer and turned into a liquid we slowly moved past each other while still staying close. When our student molecules really started to heat up and turn into a gas, we power walked around with a lot more area and energy to move and go crazy!

Social Studies - Our essential question for Social Studies this week was "Why are stories important to a culture?". We learned that stories share values, beliefs, morals, and qualities that are important to a culture. We also learned about and read some different legends, myths, and fables.

Reading - We started off the week in reading by ending our "Be Creative" unit with a test. Then we kicked off our novel study on The Chocolate Fever. Students looked at the cover, read the back, and made predictions about the book. Everyone should have read Chapters 1 through 4.

English - We wrapped up our grammar focus on verbs this week. Some students are still struggling on telling the difference between verbs and nouns so we will continue to work on this as we move on.

*A note on MAP testing - Students took all three MAP tests this week: reading, language, and math. We were supposed to take math on Monday, but it was switched to this morning. Students needed to be reminded to take their time and do there best as many were rushing through! If your child was absent this week (many were sick) there will be MAP make-ups next week.

Reminders:
- Progress reports were sent home today. They need to be signed and returned next week.
- Open house is tomorrow from 2:00-4:00
- Next week is Catholic Schools week - an email was sent home from Mrs. Koster that has all the weekly events summarized
- "Special Friends" lunch will be on Thursday of next week - if someone is coming for children in different lunch periods, we ask that they stay for both and will eat with each separately. If one of your children is in Pre-K or K, arrangements will be made so they can eat lunch during their normal hour with their sibling and "special friend"

Let me know if you have any questions/comments/concerns!

Have a great weekend!

- Miss Rizzo

Homework 1/25/16

Homework:
Reading: Reading Log
Math: Pgs. 117-118 #13-32
English: Future Tense Verb WS
Spelling: Contract due Friday

Friday News

Happy Weekend! Here's a look at what we did this week:

Math - We finished up Unit 4 this week with lots of reviewing and a test today. We did a lot of practice problems that were very similar to the test questions, so I am hoping for some good test grades! We also had some fun with reviewing this week by playing multiplication games. Next week we will start timed tests for multiplication facts and students will be able to clip up as they master each number, so make sure they are studying at home!

Science - Science was interactive this week as we learned more about matter, mass, and volume. Students measured the volume of different objects in the classroom by placing the items in graduated cylinders and measuring the water displacement. We also watched a little Bill Nye on phases of matter which is always fun for all!

Reading - Reading this week focused on reviewing for our test on Monday. We reread all 5 of our stories in our "Be Creative" Unit and focused on defining the vocab and answering comprehension questions. Students made vocabulary cards and presented to the class. We also made a study guide as a whole class and I have typed it up and it has been sent home.

English - On Tuesday, English was focused on learning about Martin Luther King. We read a book on him, discussed why he was so important to our country, and, inspired by MLK, wrote a dream we had for ourselves, our community, and the world. The rest of the week we focused on verbs. Students learned what an action verb is and also practiced writing them in different tenses.

Religion - This week in religion we focused on learning more about the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Many students shared stories of attending a sibling, cousin, or family friend's baptism.

Reminders:
- 8th Grade Valentine forms are due Feb 3rd
- Taco Tuesday forms are due the 26th
- Progress reports are being sent home next Friday
- MAP testing starts again next week
- Fatherhood Essay Contest due February 16th

I hope you all have a great weekend! Let me know if you have any questions/comments/concerns!

- Miss Rizzo

Homework:
Reading: Reading log, pg. 110-111 in workbook, Test Monday
Math: Unit 4 Review Sheet, Study for test on Friday
Spelling: Contract due Friday
Science: Lesson 31 Review

A couple reminders:
- Book orders due Friday
- Taco Tuesday forms due Feb. 2
- Fatherhood Essays due Feb. 16

Friday News

Happy Friday! Here’s a look at what we did this week!
 Math: Last week we started our multiplication unit and students have been cruising along! We will learn the last lesson in Unit 4 at the beginning of next week and take our test towards the end of the week. Many students understand the concept of multiplication but still have to use repeated addition to find the answers. Next step is to practice and memorize our facts!
*Math test is being sent home from Unit 2 – students were allowed to do in class corrections and receive credit back for half of their points.
 Writing: Our explanatory writing unit has taken longer than expected, but we have finally wrapped it up! Students worked hard going through the different steps of the writing process in writer’s workshop. Although, we are still working on our punctuation and capitalization – something I have told students should be mastered at this point in third grade. Next week we will go back to focusing on grammar before our next writing unit.
 Science: In science this week we learned about matter and mass. We discovered just because the something is the same size or matter, it does not mean that it has the same mass. Next week we will learn how to measure the volume of solids and liquids using graduated cylinders and see how the water level changes when we add different objects.
 Reading: Our story this week, “A Cool Place to Visit”, was a Time For Kids story about a hotel in Sweden made of ice! We learned how to read informational texts and focused on the skill of finding the main idea of a story. Students explored the concept of finding a main idea and supporting details by doing a main idea bag activity. Next week we will wrap up our “Be Creative!” unit by reviewing all of our stories to prepare for a reading test.
 Social Studies: Thank you for helping your child complete the family history sheet from last week! It was very fun for students to share information about where their family came from and some of the cultural traditions that they celebrate. We have been learning a lot about how other cultures become part of American culture.
 Reminders:
- Book orders due next Friday
- No school on Monday for Martin Luther King Day
- Orders for 8^th Grade Valentines due Feb 3<sup>rd

I hope you had a great week! Let me know if you have any questions/comments/concerns.</sup>

- Miss Rizzo

Homework 1/12/16

Homework:
Math: P4-3
Religion: Study for quiz tomorrow
Science: Lesson 30 review
Reading: Reading log, pg. 103 in workbook
Spelling: Contract due Friday

Homework 1/7/16

Homework:
Reading: reading log, pg. 102 in workbook
Social studies: Family History interview
Math: P 4-2
Spelling: contract due tomorrow, test tomorrow

Homework 1/6/16

Homework:
Math: pg. 100 #7-17
Reading: Reading log, pg. 101
Social Studies: Parent Interview due Friday
Spelling: Contract due Friday